Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

Ashmolean − Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

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Textile fragment with fish

Location

    • currently in research collection

Objects are sometimes moved to a different location. Our object location data is usually updated on a monthly basis. Contact the Jameel Study Centre if you are planning to visit the museum to see a particular object on display, or would like to arrange an appointment to see an object in our reserve collections.

 

Publications online

  • Embroideries and Samplers from Islamic Egypt by Marianne Ellis

    Embroideries and Samplers from Islamic Egypt

    Fish and bird motifs were popular subjects for embroidery on clothing either in pairs or in offset rows making an all-over pattern. This fish is one of a pair slanting towards the left; above it, not shown in the illustration [in the book], are the remains of another fish slanting towards the right. Although it is a stylised version of a flat fish, it is full of interesting details with its two large round eyes, three pairs of fins and zigzag stripes across its back. Fish motifs were considered lucky and thought to signify continued prosperity. As in Nos.45 [EA1984.76] and 46 [EA1984.63], the embroidery is couched work, but the outlines in blue silk are worked in outline stitch. This is similar to stem stitch except that the thread is kept on the left side of the needle thereby producing a much straighter line.
  • The Newberry Collection of Islamic Embroideries by Ruth Barnes and Marianne Ellis

    The Newberry Collection of Islamic Embroideries

    Two fish and remains of a third, all filled with red chevron lines and blue outlines.

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